MIN - Find the smallest number
Find the lowest quote, shortest duration, or smallest balance while keeping missing entries separate from genuine zero values.
By the end, you can
- Find a range's smallest numeric value.
- Understand ties and missing inputs.
- Avoid mistaking the minimum amount for a supplier lookup.
Before you start: Read a numeric range. SUM and AVERAGE provide useful comparisons.
In this lesson
Choose the lowest quoted amount
MIN returns the smallest number among its inputs. A Pune office can compare printer quotes without manually sorting them. The same function can find the shortest delivery time or lowest stock balance. It returns the amount itself, not the supplier name or the row number.
Syntax and arguments
=MIN(number1, [number2], ...)Provide numbers, individual cells, or ranges. Square brackets describe optional inputs.
| Argument | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
number1Required | The first numeric value or range to compare. | B2:B5 |
number2, …Optional | Additional values or ranges; up to 255 arguments total. | D2:D5 |
Procurement: compare printer quotes
₹22,800| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Supplier | Quote | Lowest | |
| 2 | Apex | ₹24,500 | ₹22,800 | |
| 3 | Bright | ₹22,800 | ||
| 4 | Core | ₹26,100 | ||
| 5 | Delta | ₹22,800 |
=MIN(B2:B5)Compare 24,500, 22,800, 26,100, and 22,800. The smallest amount is 22,800.
Compare selected values or a new offer
=MIN(B2,B4)Compare two selected suppliers rather than the whole list.
=MIN(B2:B5,22000)A ₹22,000 offer is lower than every recorded quote.
MIN can compare two quote ranges from different branches. It is also useful for finding an earliest Excel date because genuine Excel dates are stored as numbers. Use a consistent unit: rupees and delivery days should not share one minimum.
Zeros, text, errors, and empty inputs
- A numeric zero is a candidate minimum; a missing quotation entered as zero can falsely look like a free offer.
- Negative values are considered normally: −8 is smaller than −3.
- In referenced cells, blanks, text, and logical values are ignored. Numeric text imported into a cell must be converted first.
- A referenced error propagates to the result. If no numeric values are present, MIN returns 0; that does not prove a valid zero quotation exists.
Common mistakes and practical tips
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